Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to identify candidates for media asset qualification

ABSTRACT

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to identify candidates for media asset qualification. Example apparatus disclosed herein include a media creditor to determine whether to credit a first media asset to linear media or non-linear media, the non-linear media including subscription video on demand (SVOD). Disclosed example apparatus also include a media asset candidate controller to: classify the first media asset as a non-candidate for media asset qualification in response to the first media asset being credited to the linear media or the non-linear media. In some examples, the media asset candidate controller is to determine whether to classify the first media asset as a candidate for media asset qualification based on whether the first media asset remains uncredited by the media creditor and the first media asset overlaps a streaming period.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to monitoring media, and, moreparticularly, to methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture toidentify candidates for media asset qualification.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, methods of accessing media have evolved. For example,in the past, media was primarily accessed via televisions coupled toset-top boxes. Recently, media services deployed via Over-The-Top (OTT)devices or internet streaming capable devices, such as an Amazon KindleFire™, an Apple TV®, a Roku® media player, etc., have been introducedthat allow users to request and present media on the OTT devices. SuchOTT devices, as well as other media presentation platforms, such asdesktop, laptop, and handheld mobile devices (e.g., smartphones,tablets, etc.) enable exposure to media from a variety of contentproviders and content publishers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example media presentation environmentconstructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure togenerate media assets for qualification to be stored in a mediareference database.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example implementation of the centralfacility of

FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the central facility ofFIGS. 1 and 2 to identify candidate media assets for qualification to bestored in the media reference database.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the central facility ofFIGS. 1 and 2 to credit one or more streaming periods to one or moreregistered devices.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the central facility ofFIGS. 1 and 2 to credit one or more media assets to linear media and/ornon-linear media.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example processing platform structuredto execute the instructions of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 to implement thecentral facility of FIGS. 1 and 2 .

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example software distribution platformto distribute software (e.g., software corresponding to the examplecomputer readable instructions of FIGS. 3, 4 , and/or 5) to clientdevices such as those owned and/or operated by consumers (e.g., forlicense, sale and/or use), retailers (e.g., for sale, re-sale, license,and/or sub-license), and/or original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)(e.g., for inclusion in products to be distributed to, for example,retailers and/or to direct buy customers).

The figures are not to scale. In general, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying writtendescription to refer to the same or like parts. As used herein,connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined)may include intermediate members between the elements referenced by theconnection reference and/or relative movement between those elementsunless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do notnecessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and/or infixed relation to each other.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, descriptors such as “first,”“second,” “third,” etc. are used herein without imputing or otherwiseindicating any meaning of priority, physical order, arrangement in alist, and/or ordering in any way, but are merely used as labels and/orarbitrary names to distinguish elements for ease of understanding thedisclosed examples. In some examples, the descriptor “first” may be usedto refer to an element in the detailed description, while the sameelement may be referred to in a claim with a different descriptor suchas “second” or “third.” In such instances, it should be understood thatsuch descriptors are used merely for identifying those elementsdistinctly that might, for example, otherwise share a same name. As usedherein “substantially” refers quantities that are essentially the sameallowing for minor differences between the quantities that account forreal world errors due to computing time, transmission, etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Many entities have an interest in understanding how users are exposed tomedia on the Internet. For example, an audience measurement entity (AME)desires knowledge on how users interact with media devices such assmartphones, tablets, laptops, smart televisions, etc. In particular, anexample AME may want to monitor media presentations made at the mediadevices to, among other things, monitor exposure to advertisements,determine advertisement effectiveness, determine user behavior, identifypurchasing behavior associated with various demographics, etc.

AMEs coordinate with advertisers to obtain knowledge regarding anaudience of media. For example, advertisers are interested in knowingthe composition, engagement, size, etc. of an audience for media. Forexample, media (e.g., audio and/or video media) may be distributed by amedia distributor to media consumers. Content distributors, advertisers,content producers, etc. have an interest in knowing the size of anaudience for media from the media distributor, the extent to which anaudience consumes the media, whether the audience pauses, rewinds, fastforwards the media, etc. As used herein the term “content” includesprograms, advertisements, clips, shows, etc. As used herein, the term“media” includes any type of content and/or advertisement delivered viaany type of distribution medium. As used herein “media” refers to audioand/or visual (still or moving) content and/or advertisements. Thus,media includes television programming or advertisements, radioprogramming or advertisements, movies, web sites, streaming media, etc.

AMEs monitor audience members to obtain knowledge regarding the audienceof media. To facilitate such monitoring, AMEs enlist panelists andinstall meters at the media presentation locations of those panelists.The meters monitor media presentations and transmit media monitoringinformation to a central facility of the AME. Such media monitoringinformation enables the AME to, among other things, monitor exposure toadvertisements, determine advertisement effectiveness, determine userbehavior, identify purchasing behavior associated with variousdemographics, etc.

In some instances, AMEs identify media by extracting information such assignatures or media identifiers such as codes, watermarks, etc., andcomparing them to reference information. Audio watermarking is atechnique used to identify media such as television broadcasts, radiobroadcasts, advertisements (television and/or radio), downloaded media,streaming media, prepackaged media, etc. Existing audio watermarkingtechniques identify media by embedding one or more audio codes (e.g.,one or more watermarks), such as media identifying information and/or anidentifier that may be mapped to media identifying information, into anaudio and/or video component.

In some examples, the audio or video component is selected to have asignal characteristic sufficient to hide the watermark. As used herein,the terms “code” or “watermark” are used interchangeably and are definedto mean any identification information (e.g., an identifier) that may beinserted or embedded in the audio or video of media (e.g., a program oradvertisement) for the purpose of identifying the media or for anotherpurpose such as tuning (e.g., a packet identifying header). To identifywatermarked media, the watermark(s) are extracted and used to access atable of reference watermarks that are mapped to media identifyinginformation.

Unlike media monitoring techniques based on codes and/or watermarksincluded with and/or embedded in the monitored media, signature-basedmedia monitoring techniques (also referred to as fingerprint-based mediamonitoring techniques) generally use one or more inherentcharacteristics of the monitored media during a monitoring time intervalto generate a substantially unique proxy for the media. Such a proxy isreferred to as a signature or fingerprint, and can take any form (e.g.,a series of digital values, a waveform, etc.) representative of anyaspect(s) of the media signal(s) (e.g., the audio and/or video signalsforming the media presentation being monitored). A signature may be aseries of signatures collected in series over a time interval. A goodsignature is repeatable when processing the same media presentation, butis unique relative to other (e.g., different) presentations of other(e.g., different) media. Accordingly, the terms “fingerprint” and“signature” are used interchangeably herein and are defined herein tomean a proxy for identifying media that is generated from one or moreinherent characteristics of the media.

Signature-based media monitoring generally involves determining (e.g.,generating and/or collecting) signature(s) representative of a mediasignal (e.g., an audio signal and/or a video signal) output by amonitored media device and comparing the monitored signature(s) to oneor more references signatures corresponding to known (e.g., reference)media sources. Various comparison criteria, such as a cross-correlationvalue, a Hamming distance, etc., can be evaluated to determine whether amonitored signature matches a particular reference signature. When amatch between the monitored signature and one of the referencesignatures is found, the monitored media can be identified ascorresponding to the particular reference media represented by thereference signature that matched with the monitored signature. Becauseattributes, such as an identifier of the media, a presentation time, abroadcast channel, etc., are collected for the reference signature,these attributes may then be associated with the monitored media whosemonitored signature matched the reference signature. Example systems foridentifying media based on codes and/or signatures are long known andwere first disclosed in Thomas et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,294, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture disclosed hereinmonitor media presentations at media devices. Such media devices mayinclude, for example, Internet-enabled televisions, personal computers(e.g., desktop computers, laptop computers, etc.), Internet-enabledmobile handsets (e.g., a smartphone), video game consoles (e.g., Xbox®,PlayStation®), tablet computers (e.g., an iPad®), digital media players(e.g., an Apple TV®, an Amazon Kindle Fire™, a Roku® media player, aSlingbox®, etc.), etc.

In examples disclosed herein, a central facility associated with an AMEobtains one or more media assets from a meter. Example media assetsinclude one or more monitored signatures and corresponding mediametadata. As used herein, the term “media asset” refers to any type ofinformation extracted from media presented at a media device orotherwise collected in association with the presentation of such media,which may include one or more monitored signatures and/or media metadataincluding one or more media identifiers such as one or more codes, oneor more watermarks, etc. As used herein, the term “media metadata”refers to any type of media related information that includes a sourceidentifier, a stream identifier, a passive audio signature (PAS)timestamp, a duration of media, a media identifier, etc., and/or acombination thereof.

Example meters disclosed herein transmit one or more media assets to thecentral facility at the end of a predefined period. In some examples,the example meters disclosed herein transmit one or more media assets tothe central facility every five minutes. In additional or alternativeexamples, the example meters disclosed herein transmit one or more mediaassets to the central facility at the end of each day (e.g., the end ofeach 24-hour period). In other examples, meters may transmit mediaassets to the central facility periodically or a-periodically. In someexamples, an example media asset includes a collection of two or moremonitored signatures from a media device that individually and/orcollectively identifies media from which the monitored signatures wereobtained. For example, the media asset may be a sequence of two or moremonitored signatures obtained from a meter operating on an OTT devicemonitoring a presentation of the Home Box Office (HBO) content “Game ofThrones” on the OTT device. In another example, the meter may beoperating externally to the OTT device. In such an example, the mediaasset may be a sequence of two or more monitored signatures obtainedfrom a media meter, a people meter, a portable personal meter, such asone carried by a panelist on their person, etc., monitoring apresentation of the media.

Based on the media asset(s) and other monitoring information obtainedfrom at least one meter, the central facility credits media assets tomedia presented linearly and/or non-linearly. For example, the centralfacility credits a media asset to media by identifying the media thatwas presented when the media asset was generated. As used herein, theterm “linear” refers to media provided via a live feed. For example,linear media programming includes a catalog of stations where eachstation includes a schedule of programs (e.g., shows) selected by abroadcaster and presented at set times. As used herein, the term“non-linear” refers to media with which a consumer can interact, forexample, to select media to consume (e.g., to view and/or listen) at atime chosen by the consumer. For example, non-linear media is oftenconsumed via subscription video on demand (SVOD) services such asNetflix®, Hulu®, Disney+®, Starz®, Amazon Video Direct®, Amazon InstantVideo®, YouTube®, and Vimeo® but can also be consumed via free to useversion of such services. Non-linear media also includes on demandservices offered by cable providers and other media providers.Non-linear media can also refer to time-shifted media in which the mediawas recorded, paused, and then played back. As used herein, the term“tuning period” refers to a period during which an audience member isexposed to credited media.

For example, linear tuning periods are often 30 minutes in length andcategorized by positions in a 24-hour period. Typically, linear tuningperiods include sign on, early morning news, early morning, latemorning, daytime television, early fringe, lunchtime news, earlyafternoon, late afternoon, early evening, evening news, prime time,late-night news, late night television, graveyard slot, sign-off(sometimes referred to as closedown), late fringe, and post late-fringe,the meaning of which will be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art.Each tuning period may correspond to a particular period that isrelative to the location in which media is being monitored (e.g., signon in Chicago, Ill. may correspond to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)−5h whereas sign on in Bangalore, India may correspond to UTC+5.5 h).

While linear tuning periods are somewhat constant (e.g., the sign ontuning period tends to start and end at the same time each day) andmedia presented therein is presented via a live feed that is oftenscheduled, non-linear tuning periods are less constant, and mediapresented therein is unpredictable. The lack of constant non-lineartuning periods with predictable programming is due, in part, to theflexibility non-linear media offers to consumers to select which mediathey want to consume and when they want to consume the media.Additionally, whereas linear tuning periods are often 30 minutes inlength, non-linear tuning periods may be a fraction of that time (e.g.,five minutes of a Hulu® show while a consumer is commuting to theoffice) or much longer (e.g., a three-hour binge of a new show thatrecently released on Netflix®).

Another difference between linear media and non-linear media is thatlinear media (e.g., linear media associated with a client of the AME) isoften supplemented with one or more media identifiers such as codes,watermarks, etc. whereas non-linear media may lack such mediaidentifiers. Some non-linear media (e.g., non-linear media associatedwith a client of the AME) includes one or more media identifiers, butsuch identifiers may be absent from other non-linear media. Thus,identifying non-linear media may be difficult if such media identifiersare absent. Accordingly, crediting media assets to non-linear mediapresents difficulty as the tuning periods are indeterminant in length,unpredictable in content, and media presented therein may not includemedia identifiers.

To overcome the issues presented by crediting non-linear media, theexample central facility disclosed herein maintains a media referencedatabase for non-linear media (e.g., non-linear media lacking one ormore media identifiers). Because SVOD is one of the most common types ofmedia presented non-linearly, the media reference database disclosedherein includes multiple reference media assets for SVOD media. However,examples disclosed herein are not limited to SVOD and may applied toother non-linear media or other media of interest.

To populate the media reference database, the example central facilitycollects candidate media assets from meters and evaluates the candidatesfor storage as a reference media asset that represents the media (e.g.,SVOD) associated with the media asset. Additionally, to reduce thecomputational burden associated with qualifying reference media assetsfor the media reference database, the example central facility disclosedherein filters candidate media assets to only evaluate those mediaassets that are not currently stored in the media reference database.Because SVOD is often streamed, examples disclosed herein additionallyreduce the computational burden associated with qualifying referencemedia assets by evaluating only those media assets that were generatedduring periods when media was streamed.

For example, the example central facility disclosed herein first creditsmedia assets to media including one or more media identifiers (e.g.,linear media and/or non-linear media associated with a client of anAME). After crediting media assets to media including one or more mediaidentifiers, the example central facility compares remaining uncreditedmedia assets to reference media assets in the media reference database.Any remaining media assets that are not credited to linear media ornon-linear media represented by reference media assets in the mediareference database correspond to unidentified media for which thecentral facility does not have a reference media asset in the mediareference database.

However, not all the unidentified media assets correspond to SVOD orother media of interest. For example, playback of a recording of theCable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN) corresponds to anon-linear tuning period, but the C-SPAN recording does not correspondto SVOD. To identify which of these media assets corresponds to SVOD,the example central facility identifies which of the remaininguncredited media assets was generated during periods of streaming. Amedia asset that was generated during a period of streaming can be saidto overlap with the streaming period. Because SVOD is generally consumedvia streaming, media assets that overlap with streaming periods have ahigher probability of corresponding to SVOD than those that do not.

As such, the example central facility ignores the unidentified mediaassets that do not overlap with streaming periods to reduce thecomputational burden associated with forming the media referencedatabase. For example, by filtering out media assets that havepreviously been credited and those media assets that do not overlap withstreaming periods, the central facility reduces the overall processingcycles consumed to qualify media assets, the bandwidth consumed totransmit media assets between components of the central facility, theenergy consumed to qualify media assets, etc. The example candidateasset identification and subsequent qualification described herein maybe repeated at the end of the day (e.g., the end of each 24-hourperiod). As such, examples disclosed herein continually and efficientlyaccelerate non-linear reference media asset qualification by qualifyingmedia assets and updating the media reference database automatically,every day, when crediting for meters is completed, making the non-linearreference media asset qualification event based.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example media presentation environment100 constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure togenerate media assets for qualification to be stored in a mediareference database. The example media presentation environment 100includes example panelists 102, 104, an example media presentationdevice 106 that receives media from an example media source(s) 108, andan example media presentation meter 110 that monitors the mediapresented via the media presentation device 106. The media presentationmeter 110 identifies the media presented by the media presentationdevice 106 and reports media monitoring information to an examplecentral facility 112 of an example AME via an example gateway 114 and anexample network 116.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1 , the example media presentationenvironment 100 is a room of a household (e.g., a room in a home of apanelist, such as the home of a “Nielsen family”). In the illustratedexample of FIG. 1 , the example panelists 102, 104 of the household havebeen statistically selected to develop media ratings data (e.g.,television ratings data) for a population/demographic of interest.People become panelists via, for example, a user interface presented ona media device (e.g., via the media presentation device 106, via awebsite, etc.). People become panelists in additional or alternativemanners such as, for example, via a telephone interview, by completingan online survey, etc. Additionally or alternatively, people may becontacted and/or enlisted using any desired methodology (e.g., randomselection, statistical selection, phone solicitations, Internetadvertisements, surveys, advertisements in shopping malls, productpackaging, etc.). In some examples, an entire family may be enrolled asa household of panelists. That is, while a mother, a father, a son, anda daughter may each be identified as individual panelists, their viewingactivities typically occur within the family's household.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1 , one or more panelists 102, 104 ofthe household have registered with an AME (e.g., by agreeing to be apanelist) and have provided their demographic information to the AME aspart of a registration process to enable associating demographics withmedia exposure activities (e.g., television exposure, radio exposure,Internet exposure, etc.). The demographic data includes, for example,age, gender, income level, educational level, marital status, geographiclocation, race, etc., of a panelist. While the example mediapresentation environment 100 is a household in the illustrated exampleof FIG. 1 , the example media presentation environment 100 canadditionally or alternatively be any other type(s) of environments suchas, for example, a theater, a restaurant, a tavern, a retail location,an arena, etc.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1 , the example media presentationdevice 106 is a television. For example, the media presentation device106 is implemented by an Internet-enabled television capable ofpresenting media (e.g., via an integrated display and speakers, etc.)streaming from an OTT device. However, the example media presentationdevice 106 can correspond to any type of audio, video and/or multimediapresentation device capable of presenting media audibly and/or visually.In the illustrated example of FIG. 1 , the media presentation device 106is in communication with an example audio/video receiver 118.

In some examples, the media presentation device 106 (e.g., a television)may communicate audio to another media presentation device (e.g., theaudio/video receiver 118) for output by one or more speakers (e.g.,surround sound speakers, a sound bar, etc.). As another example, themedia presentation device 106 can correspond to a multimedia computersystem, a personal digital assistant, a cellular/mobile smartphone, aradio, a home theater system, stored audio and/or video played back froma memory, such as a digital video recorder or a digital versatile disc,a webpage, and/or any other communication device capable of presentingmedia to an audience (e.g., the panelists 102, 104). While in theillustrated example one media presentation device is shown, any numberof media presentation devices may be used.

The media presentation device 106 receives media from the mediasource(s) 108. The media source(s) 108 may be any type of mediaprovider(s), such as, but not limited to, a cable media serviceprovider, a radio frequency (RF) media provider, an Internet basedprovider (e.g., Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)), a satellite mediaservice provider, etc., and/or any combination thereof. The media may beradio media, television media, pay per view media, movies, IPTV,satellite television (TV), Internet radio, satellite radio, digitaltelevision, digital radio, stored media (e.g., a compact disk (CD), aDigital Versatile Disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, etc.), any other type(s)of broadcast, multicast and/or unicast medium, audio and/or video mediapresented (e.g., streamed) via the Internet, a video game, targetedbroadcast, satellite broadcast, video on demand (e.g., SVOD), etc. Forexample, the media presentation device 106 can correspond to atelevision and/or display device that supports the National TelevisionStandards Committee (NTSC) standard, the Phase Alternating Line (PAL)standard, the Système Électronique pour Couleur avec Mémoire (SECAM)standard, a standard developed by the Advanced Television SystemsCommittee (ATSC), such as high definition television (HDTV), a standarddeveloped by the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) Project, etc.Advertising, such as an advertisement and/or a preview of otherprogramming that is or will be offered by the media source(s) 108, etc.,is also typically included in the media.

In examples disclosed herein, an AME provides the media presentationmeter 110 to the panelist 102, 104 (or household of panelists) such thatthe media presentation meter 110 may be installed by the panelist 102,104 by powering the media presentation meter 110 and placing the mediapresentation meter 110 in the media presentation environment 100 and/ornear the media presentation device 106 (e.g., near a television set). Insome examples, the media presentation meter 110 may be provided to thepanelist 102, 104 by an entity other than the AME. In some examples,more complex installation activities may be performed such as, forexample, affixing the media presentation meter 110 to the mediapresentation device 106, electronically connecting the mediapresentation meter 110 to the media presentation device 106, etc.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1 , the media presentation meter 110detects exposure to media and electronically stores media monitoringinformation (e.g., a code detected with the presented media, a monitoredsignature of the presented media, an identifier of a panelist present atthe time of the presentation, a timestamp of the time of thepresentation) of the presented media. In the example of FIG. 1 , themedia presentation meter 110 generates one or more media assets. Forexample, the media presentation meter 110 generates an example mediaasset 120 based on the media provided by the media source(s) 108. In theexample of FIG. 1 , the media presentation meter 110 is implemented, inpart, by a processor executing machine-readable instructions.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1 , the media presentation meter 110generates the media asset 120 based on at least a portion of the mediamonitoring information. For example, the media asset 120 includes anexample monitored signature 122 and example media metadata 124. In theillustrated example, the monitored signature 122 includes one or moreaudio-based signatures. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoredsignature 122 may include one or more video-based signatures and/or anyother type of signature based on media identification information (e.g.,media identifiers, etc.). In the illustrated example, the media metadata124 includes media identifiers corresponding to the media provided bythe media source(s) 108. For example, the media presentation meter 110may determine that the monitored signature 122 corresponds to thepresentation of Season 7 Episode 1 of “Game of Thrones” based onanalyzing the media identifier stored in the media metadata 124, wherethe media identifier was extracted from the audio of the media providedby the media source(s) 108. However, as described above, in someexamples (e.g., when the media does not include a media identifier), themedia metadata 124 may not include a media identifier.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 , the media presentation meter 110transmits the stored media monitoring information (e.g., including themedia asset 120) to the central facility 112 via the gateway 114 and thenetwork 116. While the media monitoring information is transmittedelectronically, other forms of transmission are possible. For example,at least one of the panelists 102, 104 may by physically mail the mediapresentation meter 110 to the AME to transfer the media monitoringinformation. In some examples, at least one of the panelists 102, 104may physically mail a memory of the media presentation meter 110 to theAME to transfer the media monitoring information. Other forms oftransmitting the media monitoring information are possible.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1 , the media monitoring informationincludes media identifying information and people data. For example,media identifying information and/or data includes one or more of atleast one signature, at least one fingerprint, at least one code, tunedchannel identification information, and time of exposure information,among others. Example people data includes one or more of at least oneuser identifier, demographic data associated with at least one audiencemember, among others. The media identifying information and the peopledata can be combined (e.g., by the central facility 112) to generate,for example, media exposure data (e.g., ratings data) indicative ofamount(s) and/or type(s) of people that were exposed to specificpiece(s) of media distributed via the media presentation device 106. Toextract media identification data, the media presentation meter 110 ofthe illustrated example of FIG. 1 monitors for watermarks (sometimesreferred to as codes) included in the presented media.

In examples disclosed herein, to monitor media presented by the mediapresentation device 106, the media presentation meter 110 of theillustrated example senses audio (e.g., acoustic signals or ambientaudio) output (e.g., emitted) by the media presentation device 106and/or some other audio presenting system (e.g., the audio/videoreceiver 118 of FIG. 1 ). For example, the media presentation meter 110processes the signals obtained from the media presentation device 106 todetect media and/or source identifying signals (e.g., audio watermarks)embedded in portion(s) (e.g., audio portions) of the media presented bythe media presentation device 106. To, for example, sense ambient audiooutput by the media presentation device 106, the media presentationmeter 110 of the illustrated example includes multiple example audiosensors (e.g., microphone(s) and/or other acoustic sensors). In someexamples, the media presentation meter 110 may process audio signalsobtained from the media presentation device 106 via a direct cableconnection to detect media and/or source identifying audio watermarksembedded in such audio signals.

The effectiveness of an audio sensor to recognize a watermark can dependon the position (e.g., forward-facing or rear-facing) of the audiosensor and/or the position (e.g., forward-facing or rear-facing) of theaudio source (e.g., speaker). Accordingly, in examples disclosed herein,audio sensor(s) of the media presentation meter 110 are selected tofacilitate the best possible watermark recognition. Differentconfigurations of audio sensor(s) of the media presentation meter 110may be used to, for example, account for different acoustic environmentsresulting in different recognition levels of watermarks, account fordifferently configured audio systems, and account for differentconfigurations being used based on a selected input to the mediapresentation device 106.

In some examples, the media presentation meter 110 can be physicallycoupled to the media presentation device 106 and/or may be configured tocapture audio emitted externally by the media presenting device 106(e.g., free field audio) such that direct physical coupling to an audiooutput of the media presenting device 106 is not required. For example,the media presentation meter 110 of the illustrated example may employnon-invasive monitoring involving no physical connection to the mediapresentation device 106 (e.g., acoustic watermarking, for example)and/or invasive monitoring involving one or more physical connections tothe media presentation device 106 (e.g., via Universal Serial Bus (USB)connection, a High Definition Media Interface (HDMI) connection, anEthernet cable connection, etc.). In some examples, invasive monitoringmay be used to facilitate a determination of which audio sensor(s)should be used by the media presentation meter 110. For example, basedon the speaker configuration of the media presentation device 106 asidentified by the media presentation meter 110 via a USB connection withthe media presentation device 106, the media presentation meter 110 mayselect the appropriate audio sensor(s) best suited for monitoring theaudio output by the media presentation device 106.

In some examples, one or more media presentation meters may be providedby the AME in addition to or as an alternative to the media presentationmeter 110. For example, an alternative media presentation meter may becoupled between the media presentation device 106 and devices providingmedia to the media presentation device 106 (e.g., an OTT device, forexample). The alternative media presentation meter may operate similarlyto the media presentation meter 110 and may be implemented, in part, by,for example, a processor executing machine-readable instructions.

The alternative media presentation meter also monitors media output fromthe media presentation device 106, another media presentation device(e.g., the audio/video receiver 118), and/or one or more speakers (e.g.,surround sound speakers, a sound bar, etc.). For example, thealternative media presentation meter monitors the audio and/or videosignals output by the media presentation device 106, the other mediapresentation device (e.g., the audio/video receiver 118), and/or the oneor more speakers (e.g., surround sound speakers, a sound bar, etc.). Bycomparing the output of the devices providing media to the mediapresentation device 106 to the media output from the media presentationdevice 106, the other media presentation device (e.g., the audio/videoreceiver 118), and/or the one or more speakers (e.g., surround soundspeakers, a sound bar, etc.), the alternative media presentation metercan determine the device providing the media to the media presentationdevice 106. This functionality may be referred to herein as sourcedevice detection capability.

In the example of FIG. 1 , the gateway 114 is implemented by a routerthat enables the media presentation meter 110 and/or other devices inthe media presentation environment (e.g., the media presentation device106) to communicate with the network 116 (e.g., the Internet). In someexamples, the example gateway 114 facilitates delivery of media from themedia source(s) 108 to the media presentation device 106 via theInternet. In some examples, the example gateway 114 includes gatewayfunctionality such as modem capabilities. In some other examples, theexample gateway 114 is implemented in two or more devices (e.g., arouter, a modem, a switch, a firewall, etc.). The gateway 114 of theillustrated example may communicate with the network 116 via Ethernet, adigital subscriber line (DSL), a telephone line, a coaxial cable, a USBconnection, a Bluetooth connection, any wireless connection, etc.

In some examples, the example gateway 114 hosts a Local Area Network(LAN) for the media presentation environment 100. In the illustratedexample, the LAN is a wireless local area network (WLAN), and allows themedia presentation meter 110, the media presentation device 106, etc. totransmit and/or receive data via the Internet. Additionally oralternatively, the gateway 114 may be coupled to such a LAN. In someexamples, the example gateway 114 is implemented by a cellularcommunication system and may, for example, enable the media presentationmeter 110 to transmit information to the central facility 112 using acellular connection.

In examples disclosed herein, the AME also provides an example streamingmeter 126 to the panelist 102, 104 (or household of panelists) such thatthe streaming meter 126 may be installed by the panelist 102, 104 bypowering the streaming meter 126 and connecting the streaming meter 126to the gateway 114 via a physical connection (e.g., Ethernet, USB,etc.). The streaming meter 126 can also be connected to the gateway 114and/or other devices in the media presentation environment 100wirelessly.

For example, the streaming meter 126 of the illustrated example mayemploy non-invasive monitoring involving no physical connection to thegateway 114 and/or other devices in the media presentation environment100 (e.g., via Bluetooth® connection, WIFI® connection, etc.). In someexamples, the streaming meter 126 may be provided to the panelist 102,104 by an entity other than the AME. In some examples, more complexinstallation activities may be performed. By connecting to the networkhosted by the gateway 114, the streaming meter 126 measures streaminginformation which can be used to determine whether the panelists 102,104 are streaming media to the media presentation device 106. Forexample, the panelists 102, 104 may be streaming media to the mediapresentation device 106 via a video game console or an Internetstreaming device such as an OTT device. In some examples, the mediapresentation device 106 may be implemented as a smart TV that can streammedia directly without the need for another device.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1 , the streaming meter 126 isimplemented, in part, by a processor executing machine-readableinstructions. In the example of FIG. 1 , the streaming meter 126identifies Internet activity of devices on the network hosted by thegateway 114. For example, the streaming meter 126 identifies Internetactivity which includes Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) accessed overthe network, media access control (MAC) addresses of devices thataccessed the URLs, domain names, bandwidth consumed by devices (e.g.,identified by MAC addresses) accessing the Internet, etc. Based on theInternet activity (e.g., the bandwidth consumed by a device (e.g.,identified by a MAC address) accessing the Internet and/or a URL visitedby the device (e.g., identified by the MAC address)), the streamingmeter 126 identifies periods during which media was being streamed overthe network hosted by the gateway 114 (e.g., streaming periods).

For example, if a device is consuming high bandwidth, the device may bestreaming media. To verify that the high bandwidth consumptioncorresponds a streaming period, the streaming meter 126 determineswhether one or more URLs accessed by the device during the period ofhigh bandwidth consumption are associated with a streaming source (e.g.,Netflix®, Hulu®, etc.). If the streaming meter 126 determines that oneor more URLs accessed by the device during the period of high bandwidthconsumption are associated with a streaming source, the streaming meter126 identifies the timestamps at which the high bandwidth starts andends and categorizes the period therebetween as a streaming periodassociated with the MAC address of the device that accessed the media.Additionally or alternatively, the streaming meter 126 may evaluatewhether the respective domain names of one or more websites areassociated with a streaming source.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1 , the streaming meter 126 transmitsthe streaming information (e.g., streaming periods, URLs and/or domainnames accessed during the streaming period, MAC addresses of devicesaccessing the URLs and/or domain names, etc.) to the central facility112 via the gateway 114 and the network 116. For example, the streamingmeter 126 transmits the streaming information to the central facility112 at periodic intervals, scheduled intervals, aperiodic intervals,and/or one-time events. In some examples, the streaming meter 126transmits the streaming information to the media presentation meter 110and/or one or more additional or alternative media presentation meters.In such examples, the media presentation meter 110 and/or one or moreadditional or alternative media presentation meters transmit mediamonitoring information and the streaming information to the centralfacility 112. In additional or alternative examples, the mediapresentation meter 110 and/or one or more additional or alternativemedia presentation meters transmit media monitoring information to thestreaming meter 126. In such examples, the streaming meter 126 transmitsthe streaming information and the media monitoring information to thecentral facility 112.

As described above, the media presentation meter 110 transmits the mediaasset 120 and/or other media assets to central facility 112 that includerespective monitored signatures and respective media metadata.Additionally, the streaming meter 126 transmits the streaminginformation to the central facility 112 via the gateway 114 and thenetwork 116. In the illustrated example of FIG. 1 , the network 116 isimplemented by a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. However,the example network 116 may be implemented using any suitable wiredand/or wireless network(s) including, for example, one or more databuses, one or more LANs, one or more WLANs, one or more cellularnetworks, one or more private networks, one or more public networks, oneor more cable networks, etc., or any combination thereof. The examplenetwork 116 enables the media presentation device 106, the mediapresentation meter 110, the streaming meter 126, etc., to be incommunication with the central facility 112.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1 , the central facility 112coordinates an identification, a selection, etc., of a media asset to bestored in a media (e.g., SVOD) reference database for measuring and/orreporting by an AME. To improve media asset qualification, the centralfacility 112 mines meter data from the media presentation meter 110 tointelligently determine the periods and associated monitored signaturesfrom the media assets generated by the media presentation meter 110 thathave the highest probability of being candidates for the media assetqualification process. For example, before qualifying media assets to bestored in the media reference database, the central facility 112 creditsmedia assets obtained from the media presentation meter 110 and/or othermedia presentation meters to non-linear media already accounted for inthe media reference database and/or linear media. If media assets arecredited to non-linear media already accounted for in the mediareference database and/or linear media, the central facility 112classifies those media assets as non-candidates for qualification anddisregards the media assets.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1 , before qualifying media assets tobe stored in the media reference database, the central facility 112additionally determines whether any remaining media assets overlap withstreaming periods (e.g., determined from the streaming informationobtained from the streaming meter 126). If any remaining media assets donot overlap with streaming periods, the central facility 112 classifiesthose media assets as non-candidates for qualification and disregardsthe media assets. In other words, the central facility 112 classifiesthose remaining media assets that overlap with streaming periods ascandidates for qualification and qualifies the candidates for storage inthe media reference database.

In some examples, the central facility 112 implements means for mediaasset qualification. The means for media asset qualification isimplemented by executable instructions such as that implemented by atleast blocks 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324,326, and 328 of FIG. 3 and/or at least blocks 402, 404, 406, 408, 410,and 412 of FIG. 4 and/or at least blocks 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512,514, 516, 518, and 520 of FIG. 5 . The executable instructions of blocks302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, and 328of FIG. 3 and/or blocks 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, and 412 of FIG. 4and/or blocks 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516, 518, and 520 ofFIG. 5 may be executed on at least one processor such as the exampleprocessor 612 of FIG. 6 . In other examples, the means for media assetqualification is implemented by hardware logic, hardware implementedstate machines, logic circuitry, and/or any other combination ofhardware, software, and/or firmware.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example implementation of the examplecentral facility 112 of FIG. 1 . In the example of FIG. 2 , the centralfacility 112 includes an example network interface 202, an examplestreaming creditor 204, and an example media creditor 206. In theexample of FIG. 2 , the streaming creditor 204 includes an examplestreaming source creditor 208 and an example streaming device creditor210. In the example of FIG. 2 , the media creditor 206 includes anexample preliminary media identification controller 212, an examplechange-line creditor 214, and an example secondary media identificationcontroller 216. The central facility 112 also includes an example creditresult database 218, an example media asset candidate controller 220, anexample media asset manager 222, an example supplemental media assetsource 224, an example preliminary media reference database 226, and anexample secondary media reference database 228.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the network interface 202 isimplemented by a web server that receives and/or otherwise obtains mediaassets (e.g., the media asset 120) from media devices and/or meters(e.g., the media presentation meter 110). Additionally, the networkinterface 202 receives and/or otherwise obtains streaming informationfrom streaming meters (e.g., the streaming meter 126). In the example ofFIG. 2 , the network interface 202 is coupled to the network 116 toobtain media assets and streaming information. The network interface 202is additionally coupled to the streaming source creditor 208 (e.g., thestreaming creditor 204) and the media asset candidate controller 220.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the network interface 202forwards media assets and streaming information to the streaming sourcecreditor 208. The network interface 202 additionally forwards one ormore media assets to the media asset candidate controller 220. In theexample of FIG. 2 , the information included in the media assets (e.g.,the media asset 120) and/or the streaming information is formatted as anHTTP message. However, any other message format and/or protocol mayadditionally or alternatively be used such as, for example, a filetransfer protocol (FTP), a simple message transfer protocol (SMTP), anHTTP secure (HTTPS) protocol, etc. In some examples, the networkinterface 202 determines whether to continue monitoring a media device.For example, the network interface 202 may determine that the mediapresentation device 106 of FIG. 1 is not presenting media, is notpowered on, etc.

In some examples, the network interface 202 implements means forinterfacing. The means for interfacing is implemented by executableinstructions such as that implemented by at least blocks 302 and 328 ofFIG. 3 . The executable instructions of blocks 302 and 328 of FIG. 3 maybe executed on at least one processor such as the example processor 612of FIG. 6 . In other examples, the means for interfacing is implementedby hardware logic, hardware implemented state machines, logic circuitry,and/or any other combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the streaming creditor 204 isimplemented by one or more processors executing machine-readableinstructions. In the example of FIG. 2 , the streaming creditor 204 iscoupled to the network interface 202, the media creditor 206, and thecredit result database 218. In the example of FIG. 2 , the streamingcreditor 204 is configured to determine one or more streaming periodsbased on the streaming information obtained by the network interface202. For example, the streaming creditor 204 identifies the one or morestreaming periods identified by the streaming meter 126 and included inthe streaming information. Additionally, the streaming creditor 204 isconfigured to determine the media source (e.g., Netflix®, Hulu®,Disney+®, etc.) that streamed the media during the one or moreidentified streaming periods as well as one or more devices (e.g.,registered devices) registered with the central facility 112 (e.g., anAME) to which the media was streamed during the one or more identifiedstreaming periods. Additional detail with respect to the structure andoperation of the streaming creditor 204 is discussed in connection withthe streaming source creditor 208 and the streaming device creditor 210.

In some examples, the streaming creditor 204 implements means forcrediting streaming. The means for crediting streaming is implemented byexecutable instructions such as that implemented by at least blocks 304and 306 of FIG. 3 and/or at least blocks 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, and412 of FIG. 4 . The executable instructions of blocks 304 and 306 ofFIG. 3 and/or blocks 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, and 412 of FIG. 4 may beexecuted on at least one processor such as the example processor 612 ofFIG. 6 . In other examples, the means for crediting streaming isimplemented by hardware logic, hardware implemented state machines,logic circuitry, and/or any other combination of hardware, software,and/or firmware.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the media creditor 206 isimplemented by one or more processors executing machine-readableinstructions. In the example of FIG. 2 , the media creditor 206 iscoupled to the streaming creditor 204, the credit result database 218,the preliminary media reference database 226, and the secondary mediareference database 228. In the example of FIG. 2 , the media creditor206 is configured to determine whether one or more media assetscorresponds to linear media and/or non-linear media. Additional detailwith respect to the structure and operation of the media creditor 206 isdiscussed in connection with the preliminary media identificationcontroller 212, the change-line creditor 214, and the secondary mediaidentification controller 216.

In some examples, the media creditor 206 implements means for creditingmedia. The means for crediting media is implemented by executableinstructions such as that implemented by at least block 308 of FIG. 3and/or at least blocks 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516, 518, and520 of FIG. 5 . The executable instructions of block 308 of FIG. 3and/or blocks 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516, 518, and 520 ofFIG. 5 may be executed on at least one processor such as the exampleprocessor 612 of FIG. 6 . In other examples, the means for creditingmedia is implemented by hardware logic, hardware implemented statemachines, logic circuitry, and/or any other combination of hardware,software, and/or firmware.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the streaming creditor 204includes the streaming source creditor 208. The example streaming sourcecreditor 208 is implemented by a processor executing machine-readableinstructions. In the example of FIG. 2 , the streaming source creditor208 is coupled to the network interface 202, the streaming devicecreditor 210, the preliminary media identification controller 212 (e.g.,the media creditor 206), and the credit result database 218. In theexample of FIG. 2 , the streaming source creditor 208 receives one ormore media assets and streaming information from the network interface202. After processing the one or more media assets and/or streaminginformation, the streaming source creditor 208 forwards the one or moremedia assets and streaming information to the streaming device creditor210 and the preliminary media identification controller 212.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the streaming source creditor 208is configured to determine the media source (e.g., Netflix®, Hulu®,Disney+®, etc.) that streamed the media during the one or moreidentified streaming periods. For example, the streaming source creditor208 identifies the one or more streaming periods identified by thestreaming meter 126 and included in the streaming information.Additionally, for each streaming period identified, the streaming sourcecreditor 208 determines the identity of the media source that streamedmedia (e.g., the streaming media source) during the streaming period.For example, the streaming source creditor 208 determines the identities(e.g., Netflix®, Hulu®, Disney+®, etc.) of streaming media sources bycomparing the URLs and/or domain names accessed during the streamingperiods to reference URLs and/or domain names that are indicative of thestreaming media sources. In some examples, the streaming source creditor208 determines the source of the media without identifying the device towhich it is being streamed. The streaming device creditor 210 determinesthe device to which the streaming media is being sent, as describedbelow.

By determining the identity of the streaming media source, the streamingsource creditor 208 allows the media asset manager 222 to target theasset qualification process towards assets from specific streamingproviders. For example, if YouTube® is the streaming media source, thenthe monitored signatures during that streaming period can be used forqualifying assets from YouTube®. Additionally, for example, by knowingthe streaming media source (e.g., Netflix®), the media asset manager 222may ignore those media assets from different streaming media sources(e.g., Vimeo®) during the media asset qualification process. In thismanner, knowing the streaming media source reduces the processing burden(e.g., reduces the input data size, reduces the number of computationalcycles consumed, reduces the energy consumed, etc.) for qualifying mediaassets.

Additionally or alternatively, knowing the streaming media source mayallow the media asset manager 222 to supplement media assets from onestreaming media source with media assets from another streaming mediasource. For example, media may be proprietary to one streaming mediasource (e.g., Stranger Things® is only available on Netflix® at the timeof this writing), but clips of the media may be available from otherstreaming media sources (e.g., clips from Stranger Things® are availableon YouTube®). In some examples, media may be available from multiplestreaming media sources (e.g., Schitt's Creek is available on Netflix®and Hulu® at the time of this writing) and knowing the streaming mediasource may allow the media asset manager 222 to utilize media assetsgenerated based on media from one streaming media source with mediaassets generated based on media from another streaming media source.After determining the one or more streaming periods and the identity ofthe streaming media sources, the streaming source creditor 208 storesidentifiers of the streaming periods and associated streaming mediasources in the credit results database 218.

In some examples, the streaming source creditor 208 implements means forcrediting streaming sources. The means for crediting streaming sourcesis implemented by executable instructions such as that implemented by atleast block 304 of FIG. 3 and/or at least blocks 402, 404, 410, and 412of FIG. 4 . The executable instructions of block 304 of FIG. 3 and/orblocks 402, 404, 410, and 412 of FIG. 4 may be executed on at least oneprocessor such as the example processor 612 of FIG. 6 . In otherexamples, the means for crediting streaming sources is implemented byhardware logic, hardware implemented state machines, logic circuitry,and/or any other combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the streaming creditor 204includes the streaming device creditor 210. The example streaming devicecreditor 210 is implemented by a processor executing machine-readableinstructions. In the example of FIG. 2 , the streaming device creditor210 is coupled to the streaming source creditor 208, the preliminarymedia identification controller 212 (e.g., the media creditor 206), andthe credit result database 218. In the example of FIG. 2 , the streamingdevice creditor 210 receives one or more media assets and/or streaminginformation from the streaming source creditor 208. Additionally oralternatively, the streaming device creditor 210 may access identifiersof the streaming periods and associated streaming media sources from thecredit results database 218.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the streaming device creditor 210is configured to identify the device to which media was streamed duringthe identified streaming period(s). For example, for each streamingperiod, the streaming device creditor 210 is configured to determinewhether a MAC address of a device that accessed media during thestreaming period matches a MAC address of a registered device. In theexample of FIG. 2 , the streaming device creditor 210 maintains a recordof media devices (e.g., registered devices) associated with a mediapresentation environment and MAC addresses associated therewith. Forexample, the media presentation device 106 and the audio/video receiver118 are registered devices associated with the media presentationenvironment 100. Additionally, any other media devices may be registereddevices including Internet-enabled televisions, personal computers(e.g., desktop computers, laptop computers, etc.), Internet-enabledmobile handsets (e.g., a smartphone), video game consoles (e.g., Xbox®,PlayStation®), tablet computers (e.g., an iPad®), digital media players(e.g., an Apple TV®, an Amazon Kindle Fire™, a Roku® media player, aSlingbox®, etc.), etc. In some examples, the streaming device creditor210 determines the device to which media was streamed withoutdetermining the source (e.g., Netflix®, Hulu®, Disney+®, etc.) of thestreaming media.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , in response to determining that aMAC address of a device that accessed media during a streaming periodmatches a MAC address of a registered device, the streaming devicecreditor 210 credits the streaming period to the registered device. Inresponse to determining that a MAC address of a device that accessedmedia during a streaming period does not match a MAC address of aregistered device, the streaming device creditor 210 does not credit thestreaming period to a registered device. After determining theregistered devices that accessed media during the streaming periods andcrediting the streaming periods with the registered devices, thestreaming device creditor 210 stores identifiers of the streamingperiods and credited registered devices in the credit results database218.

In some examples, a media asset may be generated by a meter with sourcedevice detection capability. As described above, source device detectioncapability corresponds to the capability of a media presentation meterto determine the device providing media to a media presentation device(e.g., the media presentation device 106) by comparing the output of oneor more devices providing media to the media presentation device tomedia output from the media presentation device, another mediapresentation device, and/or one or more speakers. In some such examples,the streaming device creditor 210 compares the identity of the devicethat was streaming media as determined via the MAC address and theidentity of the device that was streaming media as determined via sourcedevice detection capability. If the streaming device creditor 210determines that the identity of the device that was streaming media asdetermined via the source device detection capability does not match theidentity of the device that was streaming media as determined via theMAC address, the streaming device creditor 210 defers to the identity ofthe device that was streaming media as determined via the source devicedetection capability. If the identity of the device that was streamingmedia as determined via source device detection capability does notmatch the identity of a registered device, the streaming device creditor210 does not credit the streaming period to a registered device.

In some examples, the streaming device creditor 210 implements means forcrediting streaming devices. The means for crediting streaming devicesis implemented by executable instructions such as that implemented by atleast blocks 406 and 408 of FIG. 4 . The executable instructions ofblocks 406 and 408 of FIG. 4 may be executed on at least one processorsuch as the example processor 612 of FIG. 6 . In other examples, themeans for crediting streaming devices is implemented by hardware logic,hardware implemented state machines, logic circuitry, and/or any othercombination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the media creditor 206 includesthe preliminary media identification controller 212. The examplepreliminary media identification controller 212 is implemented by aprocessor executing machine-readable instructions. In the example ofFIG. 2 , the preliminary media identification controller 212 is coupledto the streaming source creditor 208, the streaming device creditor 210,the change-line creditor 214, and the preliminary media referencedatabase 226. In the example of FIG. 2 , the preliminary mediaidentification controller 212 receives one or more media assets and/orstreaming information from the streaming source creditor 208.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the preliminary mediaidentification controller 212 is configured to determine the identity ofmedia from which the one or media assets were generated. For example,the preliminary media identification controller 212 is configured todetermine whether the one or more media assets are associated with amedia identifier. In response to determining that a media asset isassociated with a media identifier, the preliminary media identificationcontroller 212 identifies the media from which the media asset wasgenerated based on the media identifier. While in most cases non-linearmedia will not include a media identifier, in some cases non-linearmedia will include such identifiers. In such cases, the preliminarymedia identification controller 212 will identify the non-linear mediabased on the media identifier(s).

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , in response to determining that amedia asset is not associated with a media identifier, the preliminarymedia identification controller 212 determines whether a monitoredsignature of the media asset matches a reference signature in thepreliminary media reference database 226 maintained by the centralfacility 112. As described below, the preliminary media referencedatabase 226 stores reference signatures of media associated withclients of the AME. For example, the reference signatures of the mediaassociated with clients of the AME may be generated from media providedby the clients to the AME such that the AME can generate one or morereference signatures prior to, in parallel with, and/or after therelease of the media to the general public. In response to determiningthat the monitored signature of the media asset matches a referencesignature in the preliminary media reference database 226, thepreliminary media identification controller 212 identifies the mediafrom which the monitored signature was generated based on the referencesignature. In response to determining that the monitored signature ofthe media asset does not match a reference signature in the preliminarymedia reference database 226, the preliminary media identificationcontroller 212 forwards the monitored signature and corresponding mediaasset to the secondary media identification controller 216 (e.g., viathe change-line creditor 214).

In some examples, the preliminary media identification controller 212implements means for identifying preliminary media. The means foridentifying preliminary media is implemented by executable instructionssuch as that implemented by at least blocks 502, 504, 506, 510, 512,518, and 520 of FIG. 5 . The executable instructions of blocks 502, 504,506, 510, 512, 518, and 520 of FIG. 5 may be executed on at least oneprocessor such as the example processor 612 of FIG. 6 . In otherexamples, the means for identifying preliminary media is implemented byhardware logic, hardware implemented state machines, logic circuitry,and/or any other combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the media creditor 206 includesthe change-line creditor 214. The example change-line creditor 214 isimplemented by a processor executing machine-readable instructions. Inthe example of FIG. 2 , the change-line creditor 214 is coupled to thepreliminary media identification controller 212, the secondary mediaidentification controller 216, and the credit result database 218. Inthe example of FIG. 2 , the change-line creditor 214 receives theidentity of media from which the one or media assets were generated asdetermined by the preliminary media identification controller 212.Additionally, the change-line creditor 214 forwards the monitoredsignatures that do not match a reference signature in the preliminarymedia reference database 226 and/or are not associated with a mediaidentifier (and corresponding media assets) to the secondary mediaidentification controller 216.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the change-line creditor 214 isconfigured to credit media assets to media identified by the preliminarymedia identification controller 212. In other words, the change-linecreditor 214 is configured to associate the corresponding media assetswith the media identified by the preliminary media identificationcontroller 212. In the example of FIG. 2 , the change-line creditor 214credits media assets at a station level. That is, if the preliminarymedia identification controller 212 identified that a media assetcorresponds to HBO content, such as Season 7 Episode 1 of “Game ofThrones,” the change-line creditor 214 credits the media asset to HBO.In additional or alternative examples, the change-line creditor 214 maycredit media assets at a program level (e.g., credits the media asset toSeason 7 Episode 1 of HBO's “Game of Thrones”). In either case, thechange-line creditor 214, maintains change-lines for media devicesassociated with media assets. In example disclosed herein, a change-linerepresents change in a device, such as the stations and/or programs towhich a user tuned the device. After crediting media assets with linearmedia, the change-line creditor 214 stores identifiers of the creditedmedia assets in the credit results database 218. Additionally oralternatively, the change-line creditor 214 stores one or morechange-lines in the credit results database 218.

In some examples, the change-line creditor 214 implements means forcrediting linear media. The means for crediting linear media isimplemented by executable instructions such as that implemented by atleast block 508 of FIG. 5 . The executable instructions of block 508 ofFIG. 5 may be executed on at least one processor such as the exampleprocessor 612 of FIG. 6 . In other examples, the means for creditinglinear media is implemented by hardware logic, hardware implementedstate machines, logic circuitry, and/or any other combination ofhardware, software, and/or firmware.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the media creditor 206 includesthe secondary media identification controller 216. The example secondarymedia identification controller 216 is implemented by a processorexecuting machine-readable instructions. In the example of FIG. 2 , thesecondary media identification controller 216 is coupled to thechange-line creditor 214, the credit result database 218, and thesecondary media reference database 228. In the example of FIG. 2 , thesecondary media identification controller 216 receives the monitoredsignatures that do not match a reference signature in the preliminarymedia reference database 226 and/or are not associated with a mediaidentifier from the change-line creditor 214. In this manner, thesecondary media identification controller 216 matches those monitoredsignatures that overlap with uncredited tuning periods in thechange-line credit result. As such, the processing burden of thesecondary media identification controller 216 is reduced such that thesecondary media identification controller 216 evaluates only thoseperiods for which secondary media of interest (e.g., SVOD) can becredited (e.g., SVOD is not credited during periods of station crediting(e.g., the change-line credit result)).

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the secondary mediaidentification controller 216 is configured to determine the identity ofmedia from which one or more media assets were generated that do notmatch a reference signature in the preliminary media reference database226 and/or do not include a media identifier. In the example of FIG. 2 ,in response to the preliminary media identification controller 212determining that a monitored signature does not match a referencesignature in the preliminary media reference database 226, the secondarymedia identification controller 216 determines whether the monitoredsignature matches a reference signature in the secondary media referencedatabase 228. As described below, the secondary media reference database228 stores reference signatures of media that is not associated withclients of the AME and/or otherwise not available to the AME other thanthrough the general public. In the example of FIG. 2 , the secondarymedia reference database 228 includes media assets associated with SVOD.However, in additional or alternative examples, the secondary mediareference database 228 includes media assets associated with any othermedia of interest.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , in response to determining thatthe monitored signature matches a reference signature in the secondarymedia reference database 228, the secondary media identificationcontroller 216 credits the associated media asset to the mediaassociated with the reference signature. In response to determining thatthe monitored signature does not match a reference signature in thesecondary media reference database 228, the secondary mediaidentification controller 216 does not credit the media asset associatedto the media from which the monitored signature was generated. In theexample of FIG. 2 , the secondary media identification controller 216credits media assets at a program level. That is, if the secondary mediaidentification controller 216 identified that a media asset correspondsto HBO content, such as Season 7 Episode 1 of “Game of Thrones,” thesecondary media identification controller 216 credits the media asset toSeason 7 Episode 1 of HBO's “Game of Thrones.” After crediting mediaassets with media of interest (e.g., SVOD), the secondary mediaidentification controller 216 stores identifiers of the credited mediaassets in the credit results database 218.

In some examples, the secondary media identification controller 216implements means for identifying secondary media. The means foridentifying secondary media is implemented by executable instructionssuch as that implemented by at least blocks 514 and 516 of FIG. 5 . Theexecutable instructions of blocks 514 and 516 of FIG. 5 may be executedon at least one processor such as the example processor 612 of FIG. 6 .In other examples, the means for identifying secondary media isimplemented by hardware logic, hardware implemented state machines,logic circuitry, and/or any other combination of hardware, software,and/or firmware.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the central facility 112 includesthe credit result database 218 to record data (e.g., preliminarycrediting results (e.g., linear tuning periods, linear creditingresults, etc.), secondary crediting results (e.g., SVOD creditingresults), streaming periods, whether a media asset corresponds to astreaming period, etc.). In the illustrated example, the credit resultdatabase 218 is a database storing the crediting results determined bythe streaming creditor 204 and the media creditor 206. In this manner,the media asset candidate controller 220 can determine which mediaassets have not been credited and overlap with streaming periods.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the credit result database 218may be implemented by a volatile memory (e.g., a Synchronous DynamicRandom-Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM),RAMBUS Dynamic Random-Access Memory (RDRAM), etc.) and/or a non-volatilememory (e.g., flash memory). The credit result database 218 mayadditionally or alternatively be implemented by one or more double datarate (DDR) memories, such as DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, mobile DDR (mDDR),etc. The credit result database 218 may additionally or alternatively beimplemented by one or more mass storage devices such as hard diskdrive(s), compact disk drive(s), digital versatile disk drive(s),solid-state disk drive(s), etc.

While in the illustrated example the credit result database 218 isillustrated as a single database, the credit result database 218 may beimplemented by any number and/or type(s) of databases. Furthermore, thedata stored in the credit result database 218 may be in any data formatsuch as, for example, binary data, comma delimited data, tab delimiteddata, structured query language (SQL) structures, etc. Alternatively,the credit result database 218 may be located externally to the centralfacility 112.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the media asset candidatecontroller 220 is implemented by a processor executing machine-readableinstructions. In the example of FIG. 2 , the media asset candidatecontroller 220 is coupled to the network interface 202, the creditresult database 218, and the media asset manager 222. In the example ofFIG. 2 , the media asset candidate controller 220 receives one or moremedia assets from the network interface 202 to determine whether themedia assets have been credited and/or whether the media assets overlapwith a streaming period.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , after preliminary crediting(e.g., linear change-line crediting and/or client non-linear mediacrediting) and secondary crediting (e.g., SVOD crediting), there maystill be uncredited media assets. By combining these uncredited mediaassets with streaming periods, the media asset candidate controller 220determines the durations during which there is streaming of non-linearmedia in a media presentation environment, but no secondary creditresult (e.g., SVOD credit result) was obtained. In the example of FIG. 2, the media asset candidate controller 220 is configured to access thecredit result database 218 to classify the one or more media assetsreceived from the network interface 202 as candidates or non-candidatesfor qualification by the media asset manager 222. For example, if amedia asset was previously designated as credited in the credit resultdatabase 218, the media asset candidate controller 220 classifies themedia asset as a non-candidate for qualification and disregards thecredited media asset. For any remaining uncredited media assets, themedia asset candidate controller 220 determines whether the media assetsoverlap with streaming periods.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , to determine whether a mediaasset overlaps with a streaming period, the media asset candidatecontroller 220 compares the timestamps (e.g., at least two timestamps)of the media asset to the timestamps of the streaming period. Forexample, if the timestamps of a media asset indicates that the mediaasset covers times between the start timestamp and the end timestamp ofthe streaming period, the media asset candidate controller 220determines that the media asset overlaps with the streaming period. Insome examples, if the timestamps of the media asset also indicate themedia asset covers times within a threshold amount of time after thestart timestamp of the streaming period and/or a threshold amount oftime after the end timestamp of the streaming period, the media assetcandidate controller 220 determines that the media asset overlaps withthe streaming period.

For example, in the case of streaming media, before the media is outputfrom a media device (e.g., and before a meter can generate a signaturebased on the streaming media), the media device may buffer some datarepresentative of the streaming media. Similarly, in such examples,after the streaming period ends (e.g., once the media device hasbuffered all the data needed to present the streaming media), the mediadevice may continue to output the streaming media that is buffered.Accordingly, in some examples, the media asset candidate controller 220determines that a media asset overlaps with a streaming period if themedia asset covers a period equal to the streaming period but offset bya threshold (e.g., five minutes, ten minutes, etc.).

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , in response to determining thatan uncredited media asset does not overlap with a streaming period, themedia asset candidate controller 220 classifies the uncredited mediaasset as a non-candidate for qualification and disregards the uncreditedmedia asset. In response to determining that an uncredited media assetoverlaps with a streaming period, the media asset candidate controller220 classifies the uncredited media asset as a candidate forqualification. The media asset candidate controller 220 forwards thecandidate media assets to the media asset manager 222. If the mediaasset candidate controller 220 does not classify any media asset ascandidate media assets, the media asset candidate controller 220 doesnot forward any media assets to the media asset manager 222.

In some examples, the media asset candidate controller 220 implementsmeans for classifying media assets. The means for classifying mediaassets is implemented by executable instructions such as thatimplemented by at least blocks 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, and326 of FIG. 3 . The executable instructions of blocks 310, 312, 314,316, 318, 320, 322, and 326 of FIG. 3 may be executed on at least oneprocessor such as the example processor 612 of FIG. 6 . In otherexamples, the means for classifying media assets is implemented byhardware logic, hardware implemented state machines, logic circuitry,and/or any other combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the media asset manager 222 isimplemented by a processor executing machine-readable instructions. Inthe example of FIG. 2 , the media asset manager 222 is coupled to themedia asset candidate controller 220, the supplemental media assetsource 224, and the secondary media reference database 228. In theexample of FIG. 2 , the media asset manager 222 receives one or more thecandidate media assets from the media asset candidate controller 220.Additionally or alternatively, the media asset manager 222 obtains mediaassets from the supplemental media asset source 224.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the media asset manager 222 isconfigured to evaluate the candidate media assets identified by themedia asset candidate controller 220 for storage in the secondary mediareference database 228. For example, the media asset manager 222 managesthe secondary media reference database 228 (e.g., a media assetdatabase) based on qualifying one or more of the candidate media assetsobtained from the media asset candidate controller 220 as databasecandidates (e.g., of a quality suitable for reproduction or matchingagainst other media assets). The media asset manager 222 selectsqualified candidate media assets for storage in the secondary mediareference database 228 and subsequent measuring and/or monitoring by anAME. The media asset manager 222 processes candidate media assets todetermine the identify of an asset and/or to supplement a pre-existingmedia asset.

For example, the media asset manager 222 compares candidate media assetsto a threshold time length to determine whether the media assets timelength satisfies the threshold. In such an example, the threshold timelength corresponds to the length of time of known media. Additionally oralternatively, the media asset manager 222 determines whether a panelisthas previously indicated that he or she watched media corresponding tothe candidate media asset. In other examples, the media asset manager222 determines whether the media from which the candidate media assetwas generated may be played back at a varied (e.g., increased and/ordecreased) rate. To identify the media from which a candidate mediaasset was generated, the media asset manager 222 compares the candidatemedia asset to meter information from additional meters. Such meterinformation identifies the media. Once a candidate media asset isqualified and stored in the secondary media reference database 228, thenext time the media from which the candidate media asset was generatedis captured by a meter, the media creditor 206 will credit media assetsgenerated therefrom to the media. Example methods and apparatus toperform media asset qualification are disclosed in Nelson et al., U.S.Pat. No. 10,440,413, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

In some examples, the media asset manager 222 implements means forqualifying media assets. The means for qualifying media assets isimplemented by executable instructions such as that implemented by atleast block 324 of FIG. 3 . The executable instructions of block 324 ofFIG. 3 may be executed on at least one processor such as the exampleprocessor 612 of FIG. 6 . In other examples, the means for qualifyingmedia assets is implemented by hardware logic, hardware implementedstate machines, logic circuitry, and/or any other combination ofhardware, software, and/or firmware.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the central facility 112 includesthe supplemental media asset source 224 to record data. In theillustrated example, the supplemental media asset source 224 is a mediaasset database storing reference files of media assets generated bymeters implemented as software executing on media devices. In someexamples, the supplemental media asset source 224 may be any other typeof database.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the supplemental media assetsource 224 may be implemented by a volatile memory (SDRAM, DRAM, RDRAM,etc.) and/or a non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory). Thesupplemental media asset source 224 may additionally or alternatively beimplemented by one or more DDR memories, such as DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4,mDDR, etc. The supplemental media asset source 224 may additionally oralternatively be implemented by one or more mass storage devices such ashard disk drive(s), compact disk drive(s), digital versatile diskdrive(s), solid-state disk drive(s), etc.

While in the illustrated example, the supplemental media asset source224 is illustrated as a single database, the supplemental media assetsource 224 may be implemented by any number and/or type(s) of databases.Furthermore, the data stored in the supplemental media asset source 224may be in any data format such as, for example, binary data, commadelimited data, tab delimited data, SQL structures, etc. Alternatively,the supplemental media asset source 224 may be located externally to thecentral facility 112.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the central facility 112 includesthe preliminary media reference database 226 to record data (e.g.,reference media assets and/or reference signatures of media associatedwith a client of the AME, hash tables, media identification information,matching percentages, grades, rankings, etc.). In the illustratedexample, the preliminary media reference database 226 is a media assetdatabase storing reference files of linear media and/or non-linearprovided to the AME by clients of the AME. In this manner, incomingmedia assets can be compared against the reference files in thepreliminary media reference database 226 to identify and/or qualify themedia assets as media associated with a client of the AME.Alternatively, the preliminary media reference database 226 may be anyother type of database.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the preliminary media referencedatabase 226 may be implemented by a volatile memory (SDRAM, DRAM,RDRAM, etc.) and/or a non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory). Thepreliminary media reference database 226 may additionally oralternatively be implemented by one or more DDR memories, such as DDR,DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, mDDR, etc. The preliminary media reference database226 may additionally or alternatively be implemented by one or more massstorage devices such as hard disk drive(s), compact disk drive(s),digital versatile disk drive(s), solid-state disk drive(s), etc.

While in the illustrated example the preliminary media referencedatabase 226 is illustrated as a single database, the preliminary mediareference database 226 may be implemented by any number and/or type(s)of databases. Furthermore, the data stored in the preliminary mediareference database 226 may be in any data format such as, for example,binary data, comma delimited data, tab delimited data, SQL structures,etc. Alternatively, the preliminary media reference database 226 may belocated externally to the central facility 112.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the central facility 112 includesthe secondary media reference database 228 to record data (e.g., SVODmedia assets, hash tables, media identification information, matchingpercentages, grades, rankings, etc.). In the illustrated example, thesecondary media reference database 228 is a media asset database storingreference files of SVOD media and/or other non-linear media that is notassociated with a client of the AME. In this manner, incoming mediaassets can be compared against the reference files in the secondarymedia reference database 228 to identify and/or qualify the media assetsas SVOD and/or other non-linear media that is not associated with aclient of the AME. Alternatively, the secondary media reference database228 may be any other type of database.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the secondary media referencedatabase 228 may be implemented by a volatile memory (SDRAM, DRAM,RDRAM, etc.) and/or a non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory). Thesecondary media reference database 228 may additionally or alternativelybe implemented by one or more DDR memories, such as DDR, DDR2, DDR3,DDR4, mDDR, etc. The secondary media reference database 228 mayadditionally or alternatively be implemented by one or more mass storagedevices such as hard disk drive(s), compact disk drive(s), digitalversatile disk drive(s), solid-state disk drive(s), etc.

While in the illustrated example the secondary media reference database228 is illustrated as a single database, the secondary media referencedatabase 228 may be implemented by any number and/or type(s) ofdatabases. Furthermore, the data stored in the secondary media referencedatabase 228 may be in any data format such as, for example, binarydata, comma delimited data, tab delimited data, SQL structures, etc.Alternatively, the secondary media reference database 228 may be locatedexternally to the central facility 112.

While an example manner of implementing the central facility 112 of FIG.1 is illustrated in FIG. 2 , one or more of the elements, processesand/or devices illustrated in FIG. 2 may be combined, divided,re-arranged, omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way.Further, the example network interface 202, the example streamingcreditor 204, the example media creditor 206, the example streamingsource creditor 208, the example streaming device creditor 210, theexample preliminary media identification controller 212, the examplechange-line creditor 214, the example secondary media identificationcontroller 216, the example credit result database 218, the examplemedia asset candidate controller 220, the example media asset manager222, the example supplemental media asset source 224, the examplepreliminary media reference database 226, the example secondary mediareference database 228, and/or, more generally, the example centralfacility 112 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be implemented by hardware, software,firmware and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware.Thus, for example, any of the example network interface 202, the examplestreaming creditor 204, the example media creditor 206, the examplestreaming source creditor 208, the example streaming device creditor210, the example preliminary media identification controller 212, theexample change-line creditor 214, the example secondary mediaidentification controller 216, the example credit result database 218,the example media asset candidate controller 220, the example mediaasset manager 222, the example supplemental media asset source 224, theexample preliminary media reference database 226, the example secondarymedia reference database 228, and/or, more generally, the examplecentral facility 112 of FIGS. 1 and 2 could be implemented by one ormore analog or digital circuit(s), logic circuits, programmableprocessor(s), programmable controller(s), graphics processing unit(s)(GPU(s)), digital signal processor(s) (DSP(s)), application specificintegrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s))and/or field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)). When reading any ofthe apparatus or system claims of this patent to cover a purely softwareand/or firmware implementation, at least one of the example networkinterface 202, the example streaming creditor 204, the example mediacreditor 206, the example streaming source creditor 208, the examplestreaming device creditor 210, the example preliminary mediaidentification controller 212, the example change-line creditor 214, theexample secondary media identification controller 216, the examplecredit result database 218, the example media asset candidate controller220, the example media asset manager 222, the example supplemental mediaasset source 224, the example preliminary media reference database 226,the example secondary media reference database 228, and/or, moregenerally, the example central facility 112 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is/arehereby expressly defined to include a non-transitory computer readablestorage device or storage disk such as a memory, a digital versatiledisk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), a Blu-ray disk, etc. including thesoftware and/or firmware. Further still, the example central facility112 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may include one or more elements, processes and/ordevices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in FIG. 2 ,and/or may include more than one of any or all of the illustratedelements, processes, and devices. As used herein, the phrase “incommunication,” including variations (e.g., secure or non-securecommunications, compressed or non-compressed communications, etc.)thereof, encompasses direct communication and/or indirect communicationthrough one or more intermediary components, and does not require directphysical (e.g., wired) communication and/or constant communication, butrather additionally includes selective communication at periodicintervals, scheduled intervals, aperiodic intervals, and/or one-timeevents.

Flowcharts representative of example hardware logic, machine-readableinstructions, hardware implemented state machines, and/or anycombination thereof for implementing the central facility 112 of FIGS. 1and 2 are shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 . The machine-readable instructionsmay be one or more executable programs or portion(s) of an executableprogram for execution by a computer processor and/or processorcircuitry, such as the processor 612 shown in the example processorplatform 600 discussed below in connection with FIG. 6 . The program maybe embodied in software stored on a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a DVD, aBlu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the processor 612, but theentire program and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by adevice other than the processor 612 and/or embodied in firmware ordedicated hardware. Further, although the example program is describedwith reference to the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 manyother methods of implementing the example central facility 112 mayalternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocksmay be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed,eliminated, or combined. Additionally or alternatively, any or all ofthe blocks may be implemented by one or more hardware circuits (e.g.,discrete and/or integrated analog and/or digital circuitry, an FPGA, anASIC, a comparator, an operational-amplifier (op-amp), a logic circuit,etc.) structured to perform the corresponding operation withoutexecuting software or firmware. The processor circuitry may bedistributed in different network locations and/or local to one or moredevices (e.g., a multi-core processor in a single machine, multipleprocessors distributed across a server rack, etc.).

The machine-readable instructions described herein may be stored in oneor more of a compressed format, an encrypted format, a fragmentedformat, a compiled format, an executable format, a packaged format, etc.Machine-readable instructions as described herein may be stored as dataor a data structure (e.g., portions of instructions, code,representations of code, etc.) that may be utilized to create,manufacture, and/or produce machine executable instructions. Forexample, the machine-readable instructions may be fragmented and storedon one or more storage devices and/or computing devices (e.g., servers)located at the same or different locations of a network or collection ofnetworks (e.g., in the cloud, in edge devices, etc.). Themachine-readable instructions may require one or more of installation,modification, adaptation, updating, combining, supplementing,configuring, decryption, decompression, unpacking, distribution,reassignment, compilation, etc. in order to make them directly readable,interpretable, and/or executable by a computing device and/or othermachine. For example, the machine-readable instructions may be stored inmultiple parts, which are individually compressed, encrypted, and storedon separate computing devices, wherein the parts when decrypted,decompressed, and combined form a set of executable instructions thatimplement one or more functions that may together form a program such asthat described herein.

In another example, the machine-readable instructions may be stored in astate in which they may be read by processor circuitry, but requireaddition of a library (e.g., a dynamic link library (DLL)), a softwaredevelopment kit (SDK), an application programming interface (API), etc.in order to execute the instructions on a particular computing device orother device. In another example, the machine-readable instructions mayneed to be configured (e.g., settings stored, data input, networkaddresses recorded, etc.) before the machine-readable instructionsand/or the corresponding program(s) can be executed in whole or in part.Thus, machine readable media, as used herein, may includemachine-readable instructions and/or program(s) regardless of theparticular format or state of the machine-readable instructions and/orprogram(s) when stored or otherwise at rest or in transit.

The machine-readable instructions described herein can be represented byany past, present, or future instruction language, scripting language,programming language, etc. For example, the machine-readableinstructions may be represented using any of the following languages: C,C++, Java, C#, Perl, Python, JavaScript, HyperText Markup Language(HTML), Structured Query Language (SQL), Swift, etc.

As mentioned above, the example processes of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 may beimplemented using executable instructions (e.g., computer and/ormachine-readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computerand/or machine readable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flashmemory, a read-only memory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, acache, a random-access memory and/or any other storage device or storagedisk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extendedtime periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarilybuffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, theterm non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined toinclude any type of computer readable storage device and/or storage diskand to exclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media.

“Including” and “comprising” (and all forms and tenses thereof) are usedherein to be open ended terms. Thus, whenever a claim employs any formof “include” or “comprise” (e.g., comprises, includes, comprising,including, having, etc.) as a preamble or within a claim recitation ofany kind, it is to be understood that additional elements, terms, etc.may be present without falling outside the scope of the correspondingclaim or recitation. As used herein, when the phrase “at least” is usedas the transition term in, for example, a preamble of a claim, it isopen-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” and “including”are open ended. The term “and/or” when used, for example, in a form suchas A, B, and/or C refers to any combination or subset of A, B, C such as(1) A alone, (2) B alone, (3) C alone, (4) A with B, (5) A with C, (6) Bwith C, and (7) A with B and with C. As used herein in the context ofdescribing structures, components, items, objects and/or things, thephrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to refer to implementationsincluding any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) atleast one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the contextof describing structures, components, items, objects and/or things, thephrase “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer to implementationsincluding any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) atleast one A and at least one B. As used herein in the context ofdescribing the performance or execution of processes, instructions,actions, activities and/or steps, the phrase “at least one of A and B”is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at leastone A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B.Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing the performanceor execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities and/orsteps, the phrase “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer toimplementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B,and (3) at least one A and at least one B.

As used herein, singular references (e.g., “a”, “an”, “first”, “second”,etc.) do not exclude a plurality. The term “a” or “an” entity, as usedherein, refers to one or more of that entity. The terms “a” (or “an”),“one or more”, and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means,elements or method actions may be implemented by, e.g., a single unit orprocessor. Additionally, although individual features may be included indifferent examples or claims, these may possibly be combined, and theinclusion in different examples or claims does not imply that acombination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions 300 which may be executed to implement the central facility112 of FIGS. 1 and 2 to identify candidate media assets forqualification to be stored in the secondary media reference database228. The machine-readable instructions 300 begin at block 302 where thenetwork interface 202 obtains one or more media assets (e.g., the mediaasset 120) from media devices and/or meters (e.g., the mediapresentation meter 110) and streaming information from streaming meters(e.g., the streaming meter 126). At block 304, the streaming sourcecreditor 208, and/or, more generally, the streaming creditor 204,determines one or more streaming periods based on the streaminginformation.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3 , at block 306, the streamingcreditor 204 credits one or more streaming periods to one or moreregistered devices. Detailed example machine-readable instructions tocredit one or more streaming periods to one or more registered devicesare illustrated and described in connection with FIG. 4 . At block 308,the media creditor 206 credits one or more media assets to linear mediaand/or non-linear media. Detailed example machine-readable instructionsto credit one or more media assets to linear media and/or non-linearmedia are illustrated and described in connection with FIG. 5 .

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3 , at block 310, the media assetcandidate controller 220 classifies one or more media assets that werecredited in the credit result database 218 as non-candidates forqualification and disregards the credited media asset. At block 312, themedia asset candidate controller 220 determines whether there are anyuncredited media assets. In response to the media asset candidatecontroller 220 determining that there are not any uncredited mediaassets (block 312: NO), the machine-readable instructions 300 proceed toblock 328. In response to the media asset candidate controller 220determining that there are uncredited media assets (block 312: YES), themachine-readable instructions 300 proceed to block 314.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3 , at block 314, the media assetcandidate controller 220 selects a first one of the one or moreuncredited media assets. At block 316, the media asset candidatecontroller 220 determines whether the selected uncredited media assetoverlaps with a streaming period. In response to the media assetcandidate controller 220 determining that an uncredited media asset doesnot overlap with a streaming period (block 316: NO), themachine-readable instructions 300 proceed to block 318. In response tothe media asset candidate controller 220 determining that an uncreditedmedia asset overlaps with a streaming period (block 316: YES), themachine-readable instructions 300 proceed to block 320.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3 , at block 318, the media assetcandidate controller 220 classifies the uncredited media asset that doesnot overlap with a streaming period as a non-candidate for qualificationand disregards the uncredited media asset. At block 320, the media assetcandidate controller 220 classifies the uncredited media asset thatoverlaps with a streaming period as a candidate for qualification. Forexample, when a media asset is uncredited and overlaps with a streamingperiod, there is a high probability that the meter that generated themedia asset was exposed to some streaming content that is not yetincluded in the secondary media reference database 228. Accordingly, byonly classifying those media assets that are uncredited and overlap witha streaming period, the media asset candidate controller 220intelligently determines only the durations with high probability ofmedia of interest (e.g., SVOD) exposure.

At block 322, the media asset candidate controller 220 determineswhether there are additional uncredited media assets. In response to themedia asset candidate controller 220 determining that there are noadditional uncredited media assets (block 322: NO), the media assetcandidate controller 220 transmits the uncredited media assets that weregenerated during periods of streaming to the media asset manager 222 forqualification against candidates from other meter files and media assetsfrom the supplemental media asset source 224. Additionally, in responseto the media asset candidate controller 220 determining that there areno additional uncredited media assets (block 322: NO), themachine-readable instructions 300 proceed to block 324. In response tothe media asset candidate controller 220 determining that there areadditional uncredited media assets (block 322: YES), themachine-readable instructions 300 proceed to block 326.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3 , at block 324, the media assetmanager 222 qualifies the one or more candidate media assets classifiedby the media asset candidate controller 220. At block 326, if there areremaining uncredited media assets, the media asset candidate controller220 selects the next uncredited media asset. After block 326, themachine-readable instructions 300 return to block 316. At block 328, thenetwork interface 202 determines whether to continue monitoring one ormore media devices.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3 , in response to the networkinterface 202 determining to continue monitoring the one or more mediadevices (block 328: YES), the machine-readable instructions 300 returnto block 302. In response to the network interface 202 determining notto continue monitoring the one or more media devices (block 328: NO),the machine-readable instructions 300 terminate. For example, thenetwork interface 202 may determine not to continue monitoring the oneor more media devices if the one or more media devices are notpresenting media, are not powered on, etc.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions 306 which may be executed to implement the central facility112 of FIGS. 1 and 2 to credit one or more streaming periods to one ormore registered devices. The machine-readable instructions 306 begin atblock 402 where the streaming source creditor 208, and/or, moregenerally, the streaming creditor 204, selects a first one of thestreaming periods determined at block 304. At block 404, the streamingsource creditor 208, and/or, more generally, the streaming creditor 204determines the identity of the media source streaming media to a device(e.g., the streaming media source) during the streaming period.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 4 , at block 406, the streamingdevice creditor 210, and/or, more generally, the streaming creditor 204,determines whether a MAC address of a device that accessed media duringthe selected streaming period matches a MAC address of a registereddevice. In response to the streaming device creditor 210 determiningthat the MAC address of the device that accessed media during theselected streaming period matches a MAC address of a registered device(block 406: YES), the machine-readable instructions 306 proceed to block408. In response to the streaming device creditor 210 determining thatthe MAC address of the device that accessed media during the selectedstreaming period does not match a MAC address of a registered device(block 406: NO), the machine-readable instructions 306 proceed to block410.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 4 , at block 408, the streamingdevice creditor 210, and/or, more generally, the streaming creditor 204,credits the selected streaming period to the registered device thatmatches the MAC address of the device that accessed media during theselected streaming period. At block 410, the streaming source creditor208, and/or, more generally, the streaming creditor 204, determineswhether there is an additional streaming period. In response to thestreaming source creditor 208 determining that there is an additionalstreaming period (block 410: YES), the machine-readable instructions 306proceed to block 412. At block 412, the streaming source creditor 208,and/or, more generally, the streaming creditor 204, selects the nextstreaming period. In response to the streaming source creditor 208determining that there is not an additional streaming period (block 410:NO), the machine-readable instructions 306 return to themachine-readable instructions 300 at block 308.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions 308 which may be executed to implement the central facility112 of FIGS. 1 and 2 to credit one or more media assets to linear mediaand/or non-linear media. The machine-readable instructions 308 begin atblock 502 where the preliminary media identification controller 212,and/or, more generally, the media creditor 206, selects a first mediaasset. At block 504, the preliminary media identification controller212, and/or, more generally, the media creditor 206, determines whetherthe selected media asset is associated with a media identifier.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 5 , in response to the preliminarymedia identification controller 212 determining that the selected mediaasset is associated with a media identifier (block 504: YES), themachine-readable instructions 308 proceed to block 506. At block 506,the preliminary media identification controller 212, and/or, moregenerally, the media creditor 206, identifies the media from which theselected media asset was generated based on the media identifier. Atblock 508, the change-line creditor 214, and/or, more generally, themedia creditor 206, credits the first media asset to the identifiedmedia.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 5 , in response to the preliminarymedia identification controller 212 determining that the selected mediaasset is not associated with a media identifier (block 504: NO), themachine-readable instructions 308 proceed to block 510. At block 510,the preliminary media identification controller 212, and/or, moregenerally, the media creditor 206, determines whether a monitoredsignature of the selected media asset matches a reference signature inthe preliminary media reference database 226 maintained by the centralfacility 112. In response to the preliminary media identificationcontroller 212 determining that the monitored signature of the selectedmedia asset matches a reference signature in the preliminary mediareference database 226 (block 510: YES), the machine-readableinstructions 308 proceed to block 512.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 5 , at block 512, the preliminarymedia identification controller 212, and/or, more generally, the mediacreditor 206, identifies the media from which the monitored signature ofthe selected media asset was generated based on the reference signature.After block 512, the machine-readable instructions 308 proceed to block508 where the change-line creditor 214, and/or, more generally, themedia creditor 206, credits the media asset to the identified media. Inresponse to the preliminary media identification controller 212determining that the monitored signature of the selected media assetdoes not match a reference signature in the preliminary media referencedatabase 226 (block 510: NO), the machine-readable instructions 308proceed to block 514.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 5 , at block 514, in response to thepreliminary media identification controller 212 determining that themonitored signature of the selected media asset does not match areference signature in the preliminary media reference database 226, thesecondary media identification controller 216, and/or, more generally,the media creditor 206, determines whether the monitored signature ofthe selected media asset matches a reference signature in the secondarymedia reference database 228. In response to the secondary mediaidentification controller 216 determining that the monitored signatureof the selected media asset does not match a reference signature in thesecondary media reference database 228 (block 514: NO), themachine-readable instructions 308 proceed to block 518.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 5 , in response to the secondarymedia identification controller 216 determining that the monitoredsignature of the selected media asset does match a reference signaturein the secondary media reference database 228 (block 514: YES), themachine-readable instructions 308 proceed to block 516. At block 516,the secondary media identification controller 216 credits the selectedmedia asset to media associated with the reference signature. At block518, the preliminary media identification controller 212, and/or, moregenerally, the media creditor 206, determines whether there is anadditional media asset.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 5 , in response to the preliminarymedia identification controller 212 determining that there is anadditional media asset (block 518: YES), the machine-readableinstructions 308 proceed to block 520. At block 520, the preliminarymedia identification controller 212, and/or, more generally, the mediacreditor 206, selects the next media asset. After block 520, themachine-readable instructions 308 return to block 504. In response tothe preliminary media identification controller 212 determining thatthere is not an additional media asset (block 518: NO), themachine-readable instructions 308 return to the machine-readableinstructions 300 at block 310.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example processor platform 600structured to execute the instructions of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 to implementthe central facility 112 of FIGS. 1 and 2 . The processor platform 600can be, for example, a server, a personal computer, a workstation, aself-learning machine (e.g., a neural network), a mobile device (e.g., acell phone, a smart phone, a tablet such as an iPad™), a personaldigital assistant (PDA), an Internet appliance, a DVD player, a CDplayer, a digital video recorder, a Blu-ray player, a gaming console, apersonal video recorder, a set top box, a headset or other wearabledevice, or any other type of computing device.

The processor platform 600 of the illustrated example includes aprocessor 612. The processor 612 of the illustrated example is hardware.For example, the processor 612 can be implemented by one or moreintegrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors, GPUs, DSPs, orcontrollers from any desired family or manufacturer. The hardwareprocessor 612 may be a semiconductor based (e.g., silicon based) device.In this example, the processor 612 implements the example networkinterface 202, the example streaming creditor 204, the example mediacreditor 206, the example streaming source creditor 208, the examplestreaming device creditor 210, the example preliminary mediaidentification controller 212, the example change-line creditor 214, theexample secondary media identification controller 216, the example mediaasset candidate controller 220, and the example media asset manager 222.

The processor 612 of the illustrated example includes a local memory 613(e.g., a cache). The processor 612 of the illustrated example is incommunication with a main memory including a volatile memory 614 and anon-volatile memory 616 via a bus 618. The volatile memory 614 may beimplemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (SDRAM), DynamicRandom-Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS® Dynamic Random-Access Memory(RDRAM®) and/or any other type of random-access memory device. Thenon-volatile memory 616 may be implemented by flash memory and/or anyother desired type of memory device. Access to the main memory 614, 616is controlled by a memory controller.

The processor platform 600 of the illustrated example also includes aninterface circuit 620. The interface circuit 620 may be implemented byany type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, auniversal serial bus (USB), a Bluetooth® interface, a near fieldcommunication (NFC) interface, and/or a PCI express interface.

In the illustrated example, one or more input devices 622 are connectedto the interface circuit 620. The input device(s) 622 permit(s) a userto enter data and/or commands into the processor 612. The inputdevice(s) can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, amicrophone, a camera (still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, atouchscreen, a track-pad, a trackball, isopoint and/or a voicerecognition system.

One or more output devices 624 are also connected to the interfacecircuit 620 of the illustrated example. The output devices 624 can beimplemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emittingdiode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a cathode ray tube display (CRT), an in-place switching(IPS) display, a touchscreen, etc.), a tactile output device, a printerand/or speaker. The interface circuit 620 of the illustrated example,thus, typically includes a graphics driver card, a graphics driver chipand/or a graphics driver processor.

The interface circuit 620 of the illustrated example also includes acommunication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, amodem, a residential gateway, a wireless access point, and/or a networkinterface to facilitate exchange of data with external machines (e.g.,computing devices of any kind) via a network 626. The communication canbe via, for example, an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line(DSL) connection, a telephone line connection, a coaxial cable system, asatellite system, a line-of-site wireless system, a cellular telephonesystem, etc.

The processor platform 600 of the illustrated example also includes oneor more mass storage devices 628 for storing software and/or data.Examples of such mass storage devices 628 include floppy disk drives,hard drive disks, compact disk drives, Blu-ray disk drives, redundantarray of independent disks (RAID) systems, and digital versatile disk(DVD) drives. In the example of FIG. 6 , the mass storage devices 628implement the example credit result database 218, the examplesupplemental media asset source 224, the preliminary media referencedatabase 226, and the example secondary media reference database 228.

The machine executable instructions 632 of FIG. 6 may be stored in themass storage device 628, in the volatile memory 614, in the non-volatilememory 616, and/or on a removable non-transitory computer readablestorage medium such as a CD or DVD. In the example of FIG. 6 , themachine executable instructions 632 implement the machine-readableinstructions 300 of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 .

A block diagram illustrating an example software distribution platform705 to distribute software such as the example computer readableinstructions 632 of FIG. 6 to devices owned and/or operated by thirdparties is illustrated in FIG. 7 . The example software distributionplatform 705 may be implemented by any computer server, data facility,cloud service, etc., capable of storing and transmitting software toother computing devices. The third parties may be customers of theentity owning and/or operating the software distribution platform. Forexample, the entity that owns and/or operates the software distributionplatform may be a developer, a seller, and/or a licensor of softwaresuch as the example computer readable instructions 632 of FIG. 6 . Thethird parties may be consumers, users, retailers, OEMs, etc., whopurchase and/or license the software for use and/or re-sale and/orsub-licensing. In the illustrated example, the software distributionplatform 705 includes one or more servers and one or more storagedevices. The storage devices store the computer readable instructions632, which may correspond to the example computer readable instructions300 of FIGS. 3, 4 , and/or 5, as described above. The one or moreservers of the example software distribution platform 705 are incommunication with a network 710, which may correspond to any one ormore of the Internet and/or any of the example network 116 describedabove. In some examples, the one or more servers are responsive torequests to transmit the software to a requesting party as part of acommercial transaction. Payment for the delivery, sale and/or license ofthe software may be handled by the one or more servers of the softwaredistribution platform and/or via a third party payment entity. Theservers enable purchasers and/or licensors to download the computerreadable instructions 632 from the software distribution platform 705.For example, the software, which may correspond to the example computerreadable instructions 632 of FIG. 6 , may be downloaded to the exampleprocessor platform 600, which is to execute the computer readableinstructions 632 to implement the central facility 112 of FIGS. 1 and/or2 . In some example, one or more servers of the software distributionplatform 705 periodically offer, transmit, and/or force updates to thesoftware (e.g., the example computer readable instructions 632 of FIG. 6) to ensure improvements, patches, updates, etc. are distributed andapplied to the software at the end user devices.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that example methods,apparatus, and articles of manufacture have been disclosed for continualasset qualification to enhance a media reference database and non-linearmedia measurement. By filtering out media assets that have been creditedto linear and/or non-linear media and/or media assets that do notoverlap with streaming periods, the example methods, apparatus, andarticles of manufacture disclosed herein reduce the computational burdenassociated with forming a media reference database. For example, thedisclosed methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture improve theefficiency of using a computing device by reducing the overallprocessing cycles consumed to qualify media assets, the bandwidthconsumed to transmit media assets between components of the centralfacility, and the energy consumed to qualify media assets. The disclosedmethods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are accordingly directedto one or more improvement(s) in the functioning of a computer.

Example methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture toidentify candidates for media asset qualification are disclosed herein.Further examples and combinations thereof include the following:

Example 1 includes an apparatus comprising a media creditor to determinewhether to credit a first media asset to linear media or non-linearmedia, the non-linear media including subscription video on demand(SVOD), and a media asset candidate controller to classify the firstmedia asset as a non-candidate for media asset qualification in responseto the first media asset being credited to the linear media or thenon-linear media, and determine whether to classify the first mediaasset as a candidate for media asset qualification based on whether thefirst media asset remains uncredited by the media creditor and the firstmedia asset overlaps a streaming period.

Example 2 includes the apparatus of example 1, wherein the media assetcandidate controller is to classify the first media asset as thecandidate for media asset qualification in response to the first mediaasset remaining uncredited by the media creditor and the first mediaasset overlapping with the streaming period.

Example 3 includes the apparatus of example 2, further including astreaming creditor to determine the streaming period based on streaminginformation reported by a meter.

Example 4 includes the apparatus of example 3, wherein the streamingcreditor is to credit the streaming period to a device registered withan audience measurement entity.

Example 5 includes the apparatus of example 1, wherein the media assetcandidate controller is to, in response to at least two timestamps ofthe first media asset indicating that the first media asset covers timeswithin a first threshold amount of time after a start timestamp of thestreaming period and within a second threshold of time after an endtimestamp of the streaming period, determine that the first media assetoverlaps with the streaming period.

Example 6 includes the apparatus of example 1, further including areference database including a reference media asset, and wherein themedia creditor is to determine whether the first media asset matches thereference media asset to determine whether to credit the first mediaasset to the linear media or the non-linear media.

Example 7 includes the apparatus of example 1, wherein the first mediaasset includes a signature and media metadata.

Example 8 includes the apparatus of example 1, further including astreaming source creditor to determine an identity of a source ofstreamed media provided to a device during the streaming period, and amedia asset manager to qualify the first media asset based on at leastthe identity of the source of the streamed media provided to the deviceduring the streaming period.

Example 9 includes an apparatus comprising at least one memory, computerreadable instructions, and at least one processor to execute theinstructions to determine whether to credit a first media asset tolinear media or non-linear media, the non-linear media includingsubscription video on demand (SVOD), classify the first media asset as anon-candidate for media asset qualification in response to the firstmedia asset being credited to the linear media or the non-linear media,and determine whether to classify the first media asset as a candidatefor media asset qualification based on whether the first media assetremains uncredited and the first media asset overlaps a streamingperiod.

Example 10 includes the apparatus of example 9, wherein the at least oneprocessor is to classify the first media asset as the candidate formedia asset qualification in response to the first media asset remaininguncredited and the first media asset overlapping with the streamingperiod.

Example 11 includes the apparatus of example 10, wherein the at leastone processor is to determine the streaming period based on streaminginformation reported by a meter.

Example 12 includes the apparatus of example 11, wherein the at leastone processor is to credit the streaming period to a device registeredwith an audience measurement entity.

Example 13 includes the apparatus of example 9, wherein the at least oneprocessor is to, in response to at least two timestamps of the firstmedia asset indicating that the first media asset covers times within afirst threshold amount of time after a start timestamp of the streamingperiod and within a second threshold of time after an end timestamp ofthe streaming period, determine that the first media asset overlaps withthe streaming period.

Example 14 includes the apparatus of example 9, wherein the memoryincludes a reference media asset, and the at least one processor is todetermine whether the first media asset matches the reference mediaasset to determine whether to credit the first media asset to the linearmedia or the non-linear media.

Example 15 includes the apparatus of example 9, wherein the first mediaasset includes a signature and media metadata.

Example 16 includes the apparatus of example 9, wherein the at least oneprocessor is to determine an identity of a source of streamed mediaprovided to a device during the streaming period, and qualify the firstmedia asset based on at least the identity of the source of the streamedmedia provided to the device during the streaming period.

Example 17 includes a non-transitory computer readable medium comprisinginstructions which, when executed, cause at least one processor to atleast determine whether to credit a first media asset to linear media ornon-linear media, the non-linear media including subscription video ondemand (SVOD), classify the first media asset as a non-candidate formedia asset qualification in response to the first media asset beingcredited to the linear media or the non-linear media, and determinewhether to classify the first media asset as a candidate for media assetqualification based on whether the first media asset remains uncreditedand the first media asset overlaps a streaming period.

Example 18 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofexample 17, wherein the instructions are to cause the at least oneprocessor to classify the first media asset as the candidate for mediaasset qualification in response to the first media asset remaininguncredited and the first media asset overlapping with the streamingperiod.

Example 19 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofexample 18, wherein the instructions are to cause the at least oneprocessor to determine the streaming period based on streaminginformation reported by a meter.

Example 20 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofexample 19, wherein the instructions are to cause the at least oneprocessor to credit the streaming period to a device registered with anaudience measurement entity.

Example 21 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofexample 17, wherein the instructions are to cause the at least oneprocessor to, in response to at least two timestamps of the first mediaasset indicating that the first media asset covers times within a firstthreshold amount of time after a start timestamp of the streaming periodand within a second threshold of time after an end timestamp of thestreaming period, determine that the first media asset overlaps with thestreaming period.

Example 22 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofexample 17, wherein the instructions are to cause the at least oneprocessor to determine whether the first media asset matches a referencemedia asset to determine whether to credit the first media asset to thelinear media or the non-linear media.

Example 23 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofexample 17, wherein the first media asset includes a signature and mediametadata.

Example 24 includes the non-transitory computer readable medium ofexample 17, wherein the instructions are to cause the at least oneprocessor to determine an identity of a source of streamed mediaprovided to a device during the streaming period, and qualify the firstmedia asset based on at least the identity of the source of the streamedmedia provided to the device during the streaming period.

Example 25 includes an apparatus comprising means for crediting media,the means for crediting media to determine whether to credit a firstmedia asset to linear media or non-linear media, the non-linear mediaincluding subscription video on demand (SVOD), and means for classifyingmedia assets, the means for classifying media assets to classify thefirst media asset as a non-candidate for media asset qualification inresponse to the first media asset being credited to the linear media orthe non-linear media, and determine whether to classify the first mediaasset as a candidate for media asset qualification based on whether thefirst media asset remains uncredited by the means for crediting mediaand the first media asset overlaps a streaming period.

Example 26 includes the apparatus of example 25, wherein the means forclassifying media assets is to classify the first media asset as thecandidate for media asset qualification in response to the first mediaasset remaining uncredited by the means for crediting media and thefirst media asset overlapping with the streaming period.

Example 27 includes the apparatus of example 26, further including meansfor crediting streaming, the means for crediting streaming to determinethe streaming period based on streaming information reported by a meter.

Example 28 includes the apparatus of example 27, wherein the means forcrediting streaming is to credit the streaming period to a deviceregistered with an audience measurement entity.

Example 29 includes the apparatus of example 25, wherein the means forclassifying media assets is to, in response to at least two timestampsof the first media asset indicating that the first media asset coverstimes within a first threshold amount of time after a start timestamp ofthe streaming period and within a second threshold of time after an endtimestamp of the streaming period, determine that the first media assetoverlaps with the streaming period.

Example 30 includes the apparatus of example 25, further including areference database including a reference media asset, and wherein themeans for crediting media is to determine whether the first media assetmatches the reference media asset to determine whether to credit thefirst media asset to the linear media or the non-linear media.

Example 31 includes the apparatus of example 25, wherein the first mediaasset includes a signature and media metadata.

Example 32 includes the apparatus of example 25, further including meansfor crediting streaming sources, the means for crediting streamingsources to determine an identity of a source of streamed media providedto a device during the streaming period, and means for qualifying mediaassets, the means for qualifying media assets to qualify the first mediaasset based on at least the identity of the source of the streamed mediaprovided to the device during the streaming period.

Example 33 includes a method comprising determining whether to credit afirst media asset to linear media or non-linear media, the non-linearmedia including subscription video on demand (SVOD), classifying thefirst media asset as a non-candidate for media asset qualification inresponse to the first media asset being credited to the linear media orthe non-linear media, and determining whether to classify the firstmedia asset as a candidate for media asset qualification based onwhether the first media asset remains uncredited and the first mediaasset overlaps a streaming period.

Example 34 includes the method of example 33, further includingclassifying the first media asset as the candidate for media assetqualification in response to the first media asset remaining uncreditedand the first media asset overlapping with the streaming period.

Example 35 includes the method of example 34, further includingdetermining the streaming period based on streaming information reportedby a meter.

Example 36 includes the method of example 35, further includingcrediting the streaming period to a device registered with an audiencemeasurement entity.

Example 37 includes the method of example 33, further including, inresponse to at least two timestamps of the first media asset indicatingthat the first media asset covers times within a first threshold amountof time after a start timestamp of the streaming period and within asecond threshold of time after an end timestamp of the streaming period,determining that the first media asset overlaps with the streamingperiod.

Example 38 includes the method of example 33, further includingdetermining whether the first media asset matches a reference mediaasset to determine whether to credit the first media asset to the linearmedia or the non-linear media.

Example 39 includes the method of example 33, wherein the first mediaasset includes a signature and media metadata.

Example 40 includes the method of example 33, further includingdetermining an identity of a source of streamed media provided to adevice during the streaming period, and qualifying the first media assetbased on at least the identity of the source of the streamed mediaprovided to the device during the streaming period.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacturehave been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods,apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope ofthe claims of this patent.

The following claims are hereby incorporated into this DetailedDescription by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: interface circuitry;programmable circuitry; media creditor instructions to cause theprogrammable circuitry to determine whether to credit a first mediaasset to linear media or non-linear media, the non-linear mediaincluding subscription video on demand (SVOD); and media asset candidatecontroller instructions to cause the programmable circuitry to: classifythe first media asset as a non-candidate for media asset qualificationin response to the first media asset being credited to the linear mediaor the non-linear media; and determine whether to classify the firstmedia asset as a candidate for media asset qualification based onwhether the first media asset remains uncredited by the media creditorinstructions and the first media asset overlaps a streaming period. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the media asset candidate controllerinstructions are to cause the programmable circuitry to classify thefirst media asset as the candidate for media asset qualification inresponse to the first media asset remaining uncredited by the mediacreditor instructions and the first media asset overlapping with thestreaming period.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further includingstreaming creditor instructions to cause the programmable circuitry todetermine the streaming period based on streaming information reportedby a meter.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the streaming creditorinstructions are to cause the programmable circuitry to credit thestreaming period to a device registered with an audience measuremententity.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the media asset candidatecontroller instructions are to cause the programmable circuitry to, inresponse to at least two timestamps of the first media asset indicatingthat the first media asset covers times within a first threshold amountof time after a start timestamp of the streaming period and within asecond threshold of time after an end timestamp of the streaming period,determine that the first media asset overlaps with the streaming period.6. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a reference databaseincluding a reference media asset, and wherein the media creditorinstructions are to cause the programmable circuitry to determinewhether the first media asset matches the reference media asset todetermine whether to credit the first media asset to the linear media orthe non-linear media.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstmedia asset includes a signature and media metadata.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further including: streaming source creditor instructions tocause the programmable circuitry to determine an identity of a source ofstreamed media provided to a device during the streaming period; andmedia asset manager instructions to cause the programmable circuitry toqualify the first media asset based on at least the identity of thesource of the streamed media provided to the device during the streamingperiod.
 9. An apparatus comprising: at least one memory; computerreadable instructions; and at least one processor to execute theinstructions to: determine whether to credit a first media asset tolinear media or non-linear media, the non-linear media includingsubscription video on demand (SVOD); classify the first media asset as anon-candidate for media asset qualification in response to the firstmedia asset being credited to the linear media or the non-linear media;and determine whether to classify the first media asset as a candidatefor media asset qualification based on whether the first media assetremains uncredited and the first media asset overlaps a streamingperiod.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one processoris to classify the first media asset as the candidate for media assetqualification in response to the first media asset remaining uncreditedand the first media asset overlapping with the streaming period.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is todetermine the streaming period based on streaming information reportedby a meter.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least oneprocessor is to credit the streaming period to a device registered withan audience measurement entity.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe at least one processor is to, in response to at least two timestampsof the first media asset indicating that the first media asset coverstimes within a first threshold amount of time after a start timestamp ofthe streaming period and within a second threshold of time after an endtimestamp of the streaming period, determine that the first media assetoverlaps with the streaming period.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein: the memory includes a reference media asset; and the at leastone processor is to determine whether the first media asset matches thereference media asset to determine whether to credit the first mediaasset to the linear media or the non-linear media.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the first media asset includes a signature and mediametadata.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least oneprocessor is to: determine an identity of a source of streamed mediaprovided to a device during the streaming period; and qualify the firstmedia asset based on at least the identity of the source of the streamedmedia provided to the device during the streaming period.
 17. Anon-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which,when executed, cause at least one processor to at least: determinewhether to credit a first media asset to linear media or non-linearmedia, the non-linear media including subscription video on demand(SVOD); classify the first media asset as a non-candidate for mediaasset qualification in response to the first media asset being creditedto the linear media or the non-linear media; and determine whether toclassify the first media asset as a candidate for media assetqualification based on whether the first media asset remains uncreditedand the first media asset overlaps a streaming period.
 18. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein theinstructions are to cause the at least one processor to classify thefirst media asset as the candidate for media asset qualification inresponse to the first media asset remaining uncredited and the firstmedia asset overlapping with the streaming period.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein theinstructions are to cause the at least one processor to determine thestreaming period based on streaming information reported by a meter. 20.The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein theinstructions are to cause the at least one processor to credit thestreaming period to a device registered with an audience measuremententity.